prijava
MOSTAR, June 27 (FENA) – Delegation of the Reflection Group on Mostar of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe met with representatives of leading political parties in Mostar yesterday and with representatives of non-governmental organizations that are active in this city to consider all possible solutions for Mostar.
Spokesperson of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe Stewart Dickson stated he believes there has been certain progress in the right direction, but it is very slow and difficult.
"We can say that progress between political parties in Mostar is a result of certain pressure from the international community and its involvement in the process and we are a part of that process and we are ready to support all those who wish to resolve the current stalemate position and who want local elections in Mostar to be held in 2020," said Dickson.
He said the fact that a Group for Mostar has been formed confirms their commitment and involvement in solving the situation in Mostar, because it is completely unacceptable that there has not been true form of democracy for citizens of Mostar for ten years.
He emphasized they would consider everything that was stated at meetings in Sarajevo and Mostar and present their proposals and projects to make further progress in this area.
This group will send its report to all members of the Council of Europe represented in the Congress and they also expect help from Professor Jens Woelk, representative of group of independent experts working with the Congress.
Commenting on possibility of elections being held in Mostar in 2018, Professor Jens Woelk emphasized they were positively surprised by talks of political parties over past five months in Mostar with a new approach to try and solve the issue of elections on a local level, however, he said they realized after talks with representatives of Central Election Commission that regulations on elections cannot be amended 6 months before the elections, and that deadline expired in May.
Elections in Mostar could be held this year, said Woelk, only in case of an emergency where snap elections are needed, which according to him is a very complex procedure.
"Of course, if there is a strong political will to hold the elections this year, that could be taken into consideration not to follow the aforementioned rule.
We believe that is a little too optimistic," concluded Woelk.
City of Mostar has not had a functional City Council since 2012 and local elections have not been held since 2008.
(FENA) A. B.
